Arts & Entertainment
Calendar for May 21
Friday, May 21
Pandora Boxx from season 2 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” is making her debut in the nation’s capital at EFN Lounge, 1318 9th St., N.W. Don’t miss this fun event with Universal Gear swimsuit fashion show, your favorite sugar-coated alt-pop music spun by drag DJ Summer Camp (aka Shea Van Horn of MIXTAPE), and a special performance from Pandora and Summer. 9 p.m.- 3 a.m., $5 cover for 21+, $10 cover for 18-20.
The DC Cowboys present Brodeo: Saddle up for a wild night at Remingtons, 639 Pennsylvania Avenue S.E., with your hosts, the DC Cowboys. Featuring country/western and disco/club music, live performances, giveaways, Jell-O shots, an auction and lots of sexy Cowboys. Proceeds benefit the DC Cowboys on their mission to provide free entertainment for HIV/AIDS charity organizations. Starts at 10 p.m.
Peach Pit 90’s Dance Party with DJ Matt Bailer (MIXTAPE) + guest DJ Aaron Riggins (HHHH) from 11-midnite. The party starts at 10 p.m. No cover at the Dahlak Restaurant, 1771 U St., N.W.
The Washington Blade’s 4th annual summer kick-off party at Blue Moon, 35 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE, 6-8 p.m.
Saturday, May 22
Wicked Jezabel benefit concert sponsored by the John Guggenmos team of McWilliams/Ballard. Featuring all-lesbian party band Wicked Jezabel with performances by Charm City Boys and DC Kings. The concert is being held at Town Danceboutique, 2009 8th St. N.W., from 7-11 p.m., $15 cover (proceeds benefit Mautner Project). Call Jeanie at 202-332-5536 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.
Burgundy Crescent, a gay volunteer organization, goes to the National Zoo today. To participate, visit burgundycrescent.org.
Galeria Artesanos Don Bosco is continuing its Maryland Artists 2010 series with the work of Vincent Hughes. Hughes, whose studio is in Silver Spring, will exhibit his classical male nude figure studies along with Impressionist influenced watercolors and oils, May 22-June 18. A complimentary Italian wine and food tasting will be held at the opening reception May 22, 2-5 p.m. Galeria Artesanos Don Bosco is located in the heart of Federal Hill at 828 S. Charles St., Baltimore. For more information call 410-563-4577 or visit artesanosdonbosco.com
Latin Fusion “Amazon Night” at Cobalt, 1639 R St. N.W., with music by DJ Fantasy upstairs and DJ Stevie P downstairs, with performances by Phoenix Bloomingdale and Afrodita Washington, 9 p.m.-3 a.m., 21+.
Sunday, May 23
Sugarfree Sundays: Reloaded! Sugarfree Sundays at Eyebar, 1716 I St., N.W. (between 17th and 18th/Farragut Square). Doors open at 10 pm with no cover charge all night. Featuring the best hip-hop and house music, multiple DJs on multiple levels plus rooftop.
Monday, May 24
Burgundy Crescent “kicks up our heels” at Remingtons. To participate, visit burgundycrescent.org.
Tuesday, May 25
GLAAD Leadership Council kick-off event. The councils are local groups of volunteer leaders with a commitment and passion for GLAAD’s efforts to amplify the voice of the LGBT community. Sponsored by the Washington Blade, 6-8 p.m. at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, 1526 14th St., N.W. Tickets are $25. Enjoy wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres; GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios will attend.
Wednesday, May 26
Men of Mautner celebration honoring gay D.C. Council member David Catania, 7-9 p.m., 701 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Sponsored by Ackerman Legal PLLC; tickets $100 at mautnerproject.org.
DC Black Pride 2010: Town Hall, 7-9 p.m. Visit dcblackpride.org/ for more information on topic and location. Full coverage of this year’s Black Pride in the May 28 Washington Blade.
“Sex and the City 2” premiere presented by Fresh of Georgetown. The evening starts with an open Skyy Vodka bar at Mate for general admission or an open Moet and Belvedere bar at Georgetown’s Ritz Carlton for VIP ticketholders. General admission: $60, 6:30 p.m. pre- reception at Mate, 3101 K St., N.W. 8 p.m. pre-screening at AMC Loews, 3111 K St. VIP tickets $110, 6:30 p.m. pre-reception at the Ritz Carlton, 3100 South St., N.W., 8 p.m. Visit boxofficetickets.com/cherry for full information.
Thursday, May 27
DC Black Pride 2010: Volunteer orientation 7- 9 p.m. at the Hamilton Crowne Plaza, 14th & K streets, N.W. Visit dcblackpride.org/ for more information
Fourth annual HIPSXotic Carnival at The Palace of Wonders, 1210 H St., N.E., 6 p.m. Happy hour with special surprises, palm readings, henna, face painting and more benefiting HIPS, a local non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals engaged in sex work and drug use lead healthy lives. Limited VIP and general admission pre-sale tickets available now at HIPS.org. $10-$20 suggested donation.
The Washington Blade held the seventh annual Pride on the Pier at The Wharf DC on Saturday, June 13.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
The 2026 Lost River Pride Festival was held on the scenic grounds of the Lost River Farmers Market in Lost City, W.Va. on Saturday, June 13. Headliner Tom Goss performed at the festival and gave a second performance at the nearby Guesthouse Lost River.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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Books
David Archuleta on Mormon faith, ‘Idol,’ more in new book
Unique memoir details religious upbringing, coming out
‘Devout: Losing My Faith to Find Myself’
By David Archuleta
c.2026, Gallery Books
$29/290 pages
So just make up your mind already.
The decision is very much in your control – or, at least that’s how it’s supposed to be. It’ll be your future, your path, and seizing it may not just be necessary, but mandatory. It’s your life, and no one can live it for you. As in the new memoir “Devout” by David Archuleta, that goes for career and for love, too.
Born to parents who both had musical careers before they wed, David Archuleta remembers an early childhood growing up in a Hispanic Mormon community in Florida, where kin was always nearby. He was six when his parents moved the immediate family to Utah; the first thing he remembers about that is the snow, and how it was so cold, it burned.
Because music was in his blood, Archuleta grew up singing and dancing, often with his mother whom he calls “my rock.” It was his father, however, who encouraged him to perform; first, with a gentle push, then a shove toward a career Archuleta didn’t really want.
But he did want to make his father happy, so he went along with the contests, embarrassing meet-and-greets with stars, and uncomfortable introductions. Slowly, though, performing became more fun, and Archuleta made friends.
Meanwhile, back home, everything was breaking apart. A “family friend” whom Archuleta refuses to name accused his father of abuse. He was exonerated, but it affected the family’s closeness and they stopped being affectionate.
That was a painful backdrop to Archuleta’s soaring career, his appearances on Star Search, friendships with other rising stars, his runner-up spot on “American Idol,” tours, and recording contracts. His father kept pushing him.
But there was one thing missing.
Since he was a boy, Archuleta had known that he was attracted to men, but his Mormon faith taught him that that was unacceptable. Kissing, his abuelita said, was wrong. He tried hard to date girls, in the most chaste way. Anything past that was against God – and anything at all with a man was unthinkable.
Though it absolutely favors his personal life and dwells on it a bit too much, “Devout” strikes an otherwise nice balance between that, author David Archuleta’s career, his sexuality, and his faith. The latter two are loaded with controversy.
You don’t need to be Mormon to fully understand the faith part; Archuleta offers non-Mormons a brief education, so readers can see the importance of the Church’s teachings in his life and why he felt the need to abandon it as his understanding of his bisexuality grew. It’s emotionally raw and honest, but also so respectful that it almost bears re-reading. Such candor and the heart-on-his-sleeve tone you’ll sense are features in the entire book, alongside Archuleta’s family’s struggles and his learning to strike out alone.
It’s harmonious in more ways than one, and fans will be happy.
So, too, will anyone who wants a unique memoir with a dose of faith, or someone who’s an “American Idol”watcher. Find “Devout” and be sure to share. You won’t mind.
The Blade may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via this post.
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